Warning: Undefined variable $href_target in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/phpGiggle/phpgiggle-config.inc.php on line 44 What foods should I feed my cats? One is overweight. | Ask A Vet
Yesterday I adopted two male cats. I am unsure what to feed them. Their foster mum left out dry food all day as well as wet food morning and night. I prefer to feed wet food morning and night with no dry food. How much should I be feeding them or does this depend on their weight? Bernie is a little bit overweight. I am in Canada and may not have the food that the U.S. has.
Thanks.
Warning: Undefined variable $related_questions in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Deprecated: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Warning: Undefined variable $related_articles in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Deprecated: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/related1.php on line 75
Dr. Marie replied:
Thanks for a great question!
You will likely get a different answer to this question depending on who you ask, but I'll give you my opinion on foods.
I usually like to feed a mixture of wet and dry food. What I do with my cats is leave dry out all day and give them wet in the morning. (However, some overweight cats can't do this because they pig out all day on the dry food - In this case you would measure out dry food morning and night.) The dry food will help with their teeth and the wet food will help get fluid through their kidneys (as most cats don't drink enough).
As far as brands go, I am a fan of Royal Canin, Iams and Science diet. I do not tend to like most of the holistic or organic foods out there. While some of them may be good, I have seen far too many animals with digestive issues when on these foods.
The amount you feed them depends on their weight and which food you choose. All of the foods mentioned above will have a guide on the food that tells you how much to feed according to the cat's weight. I usually find that this guide is a little on the high side, so stick to the low end of what is recommended. Make sure you use a measuring cup to measure the food out rather than guestimating.
After a few months of feeding one of these foods if Bernie is gaining weight then you may need to go to a light formulation. Most good foods will have a low-cal or light formulation you can use.
I hope all goes well with your new cats!
Dr. Marie.
Warning: Undefined variable $displayed in /usr/home/drmarie/public_html/askavetquestion.com/answer_np.php on line 253
Do you have a pet website? Interested in learning more about SEO for Wix?
Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.
Search for similar questions:
Popular questions...
Dog has distemper. My dog is coughing ,vomiting whatever he eats but he has appetite took him to a vet.... (12377 views)
Dog has lump on top of head. My great dane will be 1 year old on Dec.10th, 2010. We had gotten him from a... (38044 views)
Dog pees in the house. Woody has been peeing when I have gone to work in the bedroom. I take him out... (11419 views)
Can dogs drink tea? Can dogs drink tea? I have been told by quite a few people that it helps puppies to... (59896 views)
Aggressive hamster. hello,
i got a russian hamster yesterday and in the store and at home he was really... (13202 views)
Coughing cat. My cat has had a horrible cough for two or three months and the vet doesn't know... (7510 views)
Guinea Pig heat cycle. my female guinea pig has a swollen vulva which is very red. this happens once every... (39338 views)
Euthanasia difficulties. Well, Kiggy passed away May 21, 2012 after a vet recommended euthanasia. She was 14... (13968 views)
Senior cat losing weight. My cat is approx. 16 years old. The last few months she has been losing a lot of... (12582 views)
Home remedy for ear infection? Hello,
My golden bailey was sprayed by a skunk in September, his shots are up to... (17592 views)
Veterinarian, Dr. Marie created this site to be able to provide quick, accurate veterinary advice online. She would love to help with your pet's problem!
Dr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.
Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.